Assembly passes measure to allow early alcohol sales in Anchorage
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Some Anchorage businesses will no longer have to wait until 10 a.m. to serve alcohol.
On Tuesday, the Anchorage Assembly passed a measure allowing restaurants with liquor licenses to serve alcohol two hours earlier, starting at 8:00 a.m. The measure also includes an amendment for package and liquor stores to open at 10 a.m. on Sundays.
“I think that as far as business goes, that it’s probably a net positive,” said the general manager of the Broken Blender, Alessandro Rossi. “In the summertime, it’s a little bit more advantageous for businesses to be open that early because the buses and all those tours, you know, they’re driving in from Seward at 6 a.m. They’re getting here at 8:30. And then nothing’s open for two, three hours.”
Rossi did reference concern about Alaska’s drinking culture and the negativity that surrounds it, but thinks that this measure addresses overindulgence.
“I think with the parameters of having to have food service, as well as alcohol, that at least you’re providing a mitigating factor to it all,” Rossi said.
But Tiffany Hall, President and CEO of Recover Alaska, says the new “Brunch Hour” measure is unnecessary.
“The people who need [bars] to be open early probably need help and support,” Hall said. “The people for whom it is more convenient, that is a privilege. That is convenience.”
Hall also points to the economic impact on Anchorage, saying restaurants being able to serve alcohol earlier will ultimately be negative financially.
“Alaskans pay $20 for every single dollar of revenue earned by alcohol; Alaska alcohol costs Alaska $2.4 billion every year,” Hall explained. “The industry brings in about 110 million every year. We are paying for those extra dollars that private industry make.”
“Those costs come in terms of missed work,” she added. “ER visits, hospitalizations, as well as a lot of undocumented things in terms of those costs, child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence... those aren’t even calculated in the financial cost, but are probably more impactful.”
Assembly Chair Christopher Constant introduced the measure, allowing “Brunch Hour” alcohol sales. It passed by a 10-1 vote, with only Anna Brawley voting no.
“Anchorage voters approved the Alcohol Tax in 2020,” Constant said.
“Now our community has some $15 million every year to direct to our most pressing issues. The brunch hour is a gesture of gratitude to say: ‘Cheers to you, Anchorage.’”
Jason Motyka, the co-founder of 49th State Brewing, testified in favor of the new ordinance.
“Having went to the airport, I see the need for a lot tourists wanting to go ahead and partake in beverages at odd times,” Motyka said. “And I think given Alaska’s economy and what we’re facing for trying to increase tourism, I think it makes a lot of sense to go ahead and have this option available.”
“Offering alcohol sales at 8 a.m. is just a matter of convenience,” testified Laile Fairbairn, co-owner of four restaurants in Anchorage. “What we’re talking about here is literally being able to offer a party a mimosa, Bloody Mary or a beer.”
Fairbairn says that with sporting events like NFL football taking place at different hours and time zones across the country, customers shouldn’t have to wait until 10 a.m. for a drink.
“We have bridal showers, baby showers that come to our restaurants at 9 a.m.,” she said. “And they can’t get a drink until the end of their party.
“I think responsible owners are going to continue to be responsible and manage their guests and their alcohol consumption when they’re in our establishments.”
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